Making a difference on our community is what we do
Treatment Counsellors
Staffing Standards & Practices
Our team is committed to finding those who are qualified and enjoy making positive changes in residents lives, while providing guidance and support to enhance the resident’s life. Our staff works actively in the community and gain a sense of achievement in the work they complete. Working at Walk of Grace Residential Services will help establish meaningful life long relationships with children, youths, adults and families. Potential applicants must have post secondary education in the field with combined experience.
Daily Requirements
As a Treatment Counsellor, our staff are trained and encouraged to go out into the community, assist with daily living routines, resolve conflict issues, write detailed reports for case management, communicate with health care providers and social workers, maintain cleanness of the home, prepare meals, implement Behaviour Support Programs, de-escalate crisis situations, undertaking administrative tasks and maintaining proper data collection, mentoring, coaching, supporting individuals, and encouraging positive behaviour.
Walk of Grace prides itself on taking into account the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual needs of each individual, while teaching new behaviours and skills through the use of Applied Behaviour Analysis techniques and positive behaviour supports. Our philosophy is that this will increase and refine the knowledge of the parent/guardian. Our Treatment Counsellors are trained in offering simple programs and strategies to improve the lives of all our residents. Our main objective is to providing a safe and flourishing household which will protect ones cultural identity, sexuality, beliefs and values while uplifting their self-esteem.
All Treatment Counsellors are trained under Applied Behaviour Analysis and are consistently trained on how to implement behaviour support plans. This includes tracking all maladaptive behaviours demonstrated by our residents, so that Walk of Grace may formulate a functional assessment that will aid in developing a program. These maladaptive behaviours are tracked through ABC data sheets, scatter plots, tracking sheets, observation fact sheets, and daily logs. The staff at Walk of Grace are required to participate in a monthly meeting with the clinical team, so that they may discuss strategies and programs. All Treatment Counsellors are trained in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention and Crisis prevention techniques. This is a strong tool used to de-escalate crisis situations.
Directors & Management
Elias Claude Houkayem
Pamela Houkayem
Natasha Houkayem
Sandrella Chalhoub
Samantha Sadler
Samantha Deschamps
Chasity Chadwick
Clinical Team & Services
Behavior support strategies are formalized procedures designed to teach and increase adaptive, healthy and productive behaviors, and to decrease maladaptive, unhealthy and non-productive behaviors. Behavior support interventions may be considered if a resident shows patterns of behavior that interfere with his or her quality of life and/or social inclusion, and/or aggressive behaviors that put themselves and others at risk. Prior to considering behavioral consultation, the team at WGRS will collect data based on the residents’ behavior to help determine the need for behavioral consultation. Data maybe collected through direct observations, ABC descriptive analysis, scatterplots, frequency, duration or time sampling and video or other multimedia devices. In the event that a resident requires behavior program, a Behavior Consultant, who works under the supervision of a psychologist or a Certified Behavior Analyst or other medical professional, will supervise it.
WGRS implements this by: tracking certain behaviors, informal/formal assessments using varies assessment tools i.e., interviews, Question About Function Scale, Aggression Against Others risk assessment, Self-Injury Trauma Scale, direct observations, ABC descriptive analysis, scatterplots, frequency, duration or time sampling and video or other multimedia devices. Based on functional assessments WGRS will create a behavior support program and then continue monitoring the effectiveness of the intervention plan, while making necessary changes. based on data collection/observations and anecdotal reports. All, which will include written headers such as: eating routines, hygiene routines, intervention plans, etc. Each resident’s behavioral program is created to best promote safe and constructive behavior. The Behavioral Consultant will attend all behavioral meetings, school and program meetings to answer any questions or concerns. All employees will be fully trained on the individual’s behavioral plan to ensure it is being properly implemented. Ongoing staff training will be provided as necessary.
Pamela Houkayem
Samantha Sadler
Our Partners
Walk of Grace Residential Services prides itself on finding groups and organizations that share the same core values and mission statements. This allows Walk of Grace to establish a meaningful and life changing partnership, that will enhance our resident’s lives in a positive manner.
Kids Up Front
Kids Up Front provides experiences to deserving children and youth across Canada. We believe that all kids should have access to enriching experiences like arts, culture, and sporting events. Attendance at events like these helps to foster feelings of inclusion and belonging in the children we help. Kids Up Front reaches children in need through our innovative program by distributing tickets, classes, and passes to more than 1,100 partner agencies in Calgary, Edmonton, Atlantic Canada, Ottawa, Toronto and ,Vancouver.
For more information, please visit https://kidsupfront.com/.
Applied Behaviour Consulting
Applied Behaviour Consulting offers ABA consultative services delivered by Nicole Jacobs MPEd, BCBA. Nicole completed 1500 hours of supervised practice, a Masters Degree specializing in applied behaviour analysis and passed her board certification exam to become a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst in November of 2018. She has provided a variety of services and supports to those with developmental disabilities for more than 10 years with a particular focus on consultative ABA services since opening Applied Behaviour Consulting in May 2019. Nicole has worked with those diagnosed with autism throughout her career providing both community and in home support and continues to be passionate about providing these services.
Supremex Detailing
Walk of Grace Residential Services and Supremex Detailing are happy to introduce the “Early Employment Training Program” for our residents in care! This program is intended to provide early job coaching for our youth and adults with dual diagnosis, to help prepare them for independence, financial literacy, employment experience, and much more! Thank you very much to Supremex Detailing for providing this opportunity to our residents! The positive impact you are providing on our community and residents is not going unnoticed!
